Trini acquitted of ‘coke’ charge in London

A 26-year-old Trinidadian escaped a life sentence in a London jail yesterday, when he was acquitted of a charge of attempting to import 997 grammes of high quality cocaine into the United Kingdom last March. But Raymond Habib remained at the Feltham Remand Centre in Middlesex last night as immigration officials have refused to allow him to stay in England despite the not guilty verdict. Immigration authorities are planning to put Habib on a flight to Trinidad on Friday Habib’s London-based attorney Tom Kharram will today attempt to convince the British authorities to release Habib and allow him to remain in London on holiday.

Habib and another Trinidadian were arrested at Heathrow International Airport in March after disembarking from BWIA flight 900 from Trinidad.
Three British Customs officers gave evidence for the prosecution at the Islesworth Crown Court in Middlesex at the trial which began on Monday. They told the jury that they were on duty when they intercepted Habib and another man at Terminal 3 at Heathrow International Airport with 997 grammes of high quality cocaine in his suitcase. The cocaine, according to the witnesses, was found in the bottom compartment of Habib’s suitcase There was also a quantity of cocaine which was found in another part of the suitcase. The suitcase was almost empty, according to the witnesses. The officers said that Habib, when interviewed at Heathrow Airport, said he did not pack the suitcase alone. He told the officers he did not have exclusive possession of the suitcase prior to his departure from his house.

The arresting officers believed that the cocaine weighed four kilos, but after it was properly weighed at the forensic department, the amount was less than one kilo. In his defence, Habib said the person who travelled with him to London had gone upstairs his home prior to their departure for Piarco International Airport. He denied knowledge of the cocaine in his suitcase. Habib said he had planned to visit Miami, but was persuaded to go to London on vacation for a short holiday. The accused said he had planned to do some shopping, explaining why his suitcase was almost empty. He said he had also planned to visit his mother’s fiance who lives in England. Habib’s story was supported by his 18-year-old sister who flew to London to testify.

After all the evidence was adduced, lawyers addressed the jury who later retired and returned after one hour and 15 minutes and said that Habib was not guilty. Habib’s father, mother, sister and Trinidadian Senior Counsel Desmond Allum, attended the hearing at the Islesworth Crown Court, which is situated near to Heathrow Airport.  The other Trinidadian who was arrested with Habib was released in June from the Feltham Remand Centre because of insufficient evidence against him.